Breaking News

  • May Visa Bulletin Brings Predicted Visa Retrogression
    April 11, 2012 - 3:01pm

    The May 2012 visa bulletin shows drastic retrogression in the second employment-based categories for persons born in India and China (whose spouse, if any, is also born in one of these countries).  The cut-off date will be August 15, 2007 for all adjustment applications filed in May. 

  • H1B Cap Subject Petition Filings Much Higher than Last Year
    April 11, 2012 - 2:59pm

    As of April 9, 2012, U.S.

  • Interview Waiver Pilot Program Expanded to New Delhi
    April 11, 2012 - 2:53pm

    According the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, some visa applicants may be eligible to renew their visa without an interview.  Those who were interviewed and screened in conjunction with a prior B1/B2 visa application and are looking to renew in the same classification may request that consular officers waive the interview.  Applicants must request renewal within 48 months of visa expiration to be eligible, and the consular officer retains the authority to interview any applicant  for any reason.

  • H-1B Cap Gap Q&A
    April 11, 2012 - 2:51pm

    U.S.

  • “Special Student Relief” for Syrian F-1 Students
    April 11, 2012 - 2:48pm

    Effective April 3, 2012 to October 3, 2013, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended certain regulatory requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant students from Syria who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011.  The DHS Secretary, Janet Napolitano, has determined that a suspension of certain requirements for Syrian citizens who are F–1 nonimmigrant students is warranted because it will provide relief to these F–1 students who will now be able to obtain employment authorization, work an increased

  • DHS Case Review Comes to New Orleans
    April 11, 2012 - 2:47pm

    According to a recent announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the New Orleans immigration court will be part of the next phase of a case review process announced in 2011.  DHS across the country is reviewing the pending immigration removal caseload to determine in which cases it will exercise prosecutorial discretion, including a pilot program launched in Baltimore and Denver immigration courts

  • ICE Reports on Deportations of Parents of US Citizens
    April 11, 2012 - 2:39pm

    A new report compiled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued March 26, 2012, confirms the widespread deportation of parents of U.S. citizens.  According to the data compiled by ICE, between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011, ICE sought orders of deportation, exclusion, or removal in the cases of 39,918 aliens who claimed to have at least 1 USC child.

  • USCIS Instructs on Correction of Government Errors
    April 11, 2012 - 2:37pm

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new memorandum entitled "Expedited Case Review Process for Specifically-Designated Administrative Errors."  The memo describes a new commitment by the agency to respond within five days to request for review of cases that are affected by USCIS errors in four contexts:

  • I-797C Notice of Action Gets a New Look
    April 11, 2012 - 2:35pm

    According to a March 30, 2012 announcement by U.S.

  • Visa Processing Fees Change April 13
    April 11, 2012 - 2:33pm

    Effective April 13, 2012, Department of State will revise visa fees.  The fees for nonimmigrant visa applicants and border crossing cards will increase, while all other visa fees decrease.  The new fees will be as follow:

    Type of Visa, Previous Fee, New Fee